What Is Social Learning?

Social learning is a theory and practice rooted in the work of psychologist Albert Bandura, who demonstrated in the 1970s that people learn effectively through observing others, imitating successful behaviors, and participating in social interactions — not just through direct instruction or individual study. In the context of organizational learning and development, social learning encompasses a broad range of collaborative activities including peer discussions and debate, community forums and knowledge-sharing spaces, formal and informal mentoring relationships, collaborative project work, user-generated content such as tips and how-to posts, and expert commentary on shared resources. The widely referenced 70-20-10 model of workplace learning suggests that approximately 20% of professional knowledge acquisition happens through social interactions with colleagues and mentors, complementing the 70% learned through on-the-job experience and 10% through formal training programs. Modern LMS and LXP platforms facilitate social learning by integrating community features, discussion forums, peer feedback mechanisms, and collaborative tools directly alongside structured course content. Arythmatic's built-in community features enable social learning within the same platform where formal training is delivered, creating a unified environment for both structured and peer-driven knowledge exchange.